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The first Jews arrive in Victoria at the time of the Fraser River gold rush. High Holy Day services are held in a private home on Johnson Street in the Fall.
event
1858
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The Victoria Hebrew Benevolent Society is founded.
event
June 23, 1859
A Jewish Cemetery is consecrated on Cedar Hill Road, the oldest in Western Canada.
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Selim Franklin
is elected to the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island—the third Jew to be elected to a legislature in British North America.
event
1860
Morris Price, murdered at Cayoosh (Lilooet), becomes the first person to be interred at the Jewish Cemetery.
event
1861
The Congregation “Emanu‐El of Victoria, Vancouver Island” is officially formed, and purchases a piece of land, “suitable in all respects for $730.00” for a future Synagogue.
A call for architects is issued.
event
1862
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Architects Wright & Sanders issue a tender call for the new building. Contracts are issued to Mr. T. Baker for brick and slating, and Lee & Co. for the stonework.
The cornerstone is laid in a grand public ceremony on June 2nd—a gala celebration attended by the mayor, town council, Chief Justice, the Freemasons, Hebrew Benevolent, French Benevolent and St. Andrews Societies, bands and choirs.
Consecration takes place in September.
event
June 2, 1863
A wedding canopy made of silk from China, manufactured in England and transported around Cape Horn to Victoria is presented to the Congregation by the Hebrew Ladies of Victoria.
event
1864
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Lumley Franklin, Selim’s older brother, is elected the second mayor of Victoria—the first Jewish mayor of a city in British North America.
event
1866
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Henry Nathan Jr. is sent as one of the first two Members of Parliament from Victoria after Confederation—the first Jew to sit in the Canadian House of Commons.
event
1871
Plans are prepared for the construction of a Sunday school and Hall to the south of the Synagogue.
event
1891
Architect Thomas Hooper issues a tender call for the school house.
The construction contract is given to Mr. Riddle in December.
event
1892
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The school house opens as the Hebrew Ladies Hall.
event
1893
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The Synagogue is “modernized”—the exterior covered in stucco; the central doors removed; a false ceiling to cut heating costs; the windows blocked up; and central skylight removed.
event
1948
Consideration given to restoration of the Synagogue.
event
1976
“The Committee to Restore Canada’s Oldest Synagogue” is organized—comprising Martin Levin (Chairman); Harry Brown; Neil Gold; Michael Goldberg; Alan Klenman; Ben Levinson; Gene Miller; Felix Reuben; and later Martin Bernstein.
The Committee enlists the aid and expertise of the Heritage Conservation Branch of the Provincial Government, which proves invaluable throughout the four-year restoration project.
event
1978
The B.C. Heritage Trust announces a grant of $50,000 to the restoration of the Synagogue (ultimately, giving $82,000).
The Annual General Meeting of the Congregation unanimously approves the restoration project. Fund‐raising is launched. Every single member of the Synagogue contributes to the restoration—producing the largest amount ever raised in Victoria.
event
1979
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Premier William Bennett officially launches the restoration.
event
April, 1980
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Another concentrated community effort results in the completion of the Al & Sylvia Fisher Building, the congregation’s social hall annex and Educational and Cultural Centre—replacing the 110-year-old wooden school and Hebrew Ladies Hall.
event
2003
A committee is formed to prepare for the 150th anniversary of Emanu-El of Victoria.
event
2010

Congregation Emanu-El, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2J3 Canada
Tel: 250-382-0615 • InfoAtCongEman
Office hours: Tues–Thurs 9:30am-2:30pm